Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: Types of Treatment

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 11/2022

ON THIS PAGE: You will learn about the different types of treatments doctors use to treat gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). Use the menu to see other pages.

This section explains the types of treatments, also known as therapies, that are the standard of care for GTD. “Standard of care” means the best treatments known. Information in this section is based on medical standards of care for GTD in the United States. Treatment options can vary from one place to another.

Clinical trials may also be an option for you, which is something you can discuss with your doctor. A clinical trial is a research study that tests a new approach to treatment. Learn more about clinical trials in the About Clinical Trials and Latest Research sections of this guide.

How GTD is treated

For GTD, different types of doctors who specialize in cancer, called oncologists, often work together to create a patient’s overall treatment plan that combines different types of treatments. This is called a multidisciplinary team. For GTD, this often includes a gynecologic oncologist, which is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer of the female reproductive system. Other specialists may include a medical oncologist, surgeon, and radiation oncologist. Your care team may include other health care professionals, such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, social workers, pharmacists, counselors, dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and others. Learn more about the clinicians who provide care.

GTD is typically curable, especially when found early. The main treatments for GTD are surgery and/or chemotherapy.

Patients often have concerns about whether treatment may affect their sexual function and ability to have children, called fertility. Be sure to talk with your health care team about these topics before treatment begins.

Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the type, stage, and risk grouping of GTD and the patient’s preferences and overall health. Take time to learn about all of your treatment options and be sure to ask questions about things that are unclear. Talk with your doctor about the goals of each treatment and what you can expect while receiving the treatment. These types of conversations are called “shared decision-making.” Shared decision-making is when you and your doctors work together to choose treatments that fit the goals of your care. Shared decision-making is important for GTD because there are different treatment options. Learn more about making treatment decisions.

The common types of treatments used for GTD are described below. Your care plan will also include treatment for symptoms and side effects, an important part of medical care.

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Surgery

Surgery is the removal of the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue during an operation. It is often the first treatment used for a molar pregnancy and may be the only treatment necessary. A gynecologist or gynecologic oncologist who specializes in removing a tumor using surgery will typically perform the operation.

For GTD, the extent of surgery depends on the stage of the tumor. Common surgical options include:

  • Suction dilation and curettage (D&C). During D&C, the doctor dilates the cervix and removes the tissues inside the uterus using a small vacuum-like device. After that, the walls of the uterus are scraped to remove any remaining molar tissue. The patient may receive a drug called oxytocin that helps the uterus contract to normal size. A D&C is used when there is a molar pregnancy and allows for preservation of future fertility. Side effects may include some vaginal bleeding, infection, scarring inside the uterus, cramping, and blood clots. Talk with your health care team about what to expect from this procedure and how side effects can be managed.

  • Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and uterine cervix. In most cases of GTD, a hysterectomy is not necessary because a cure is possible with other treatments, including D&C and chemotherapy (see below). A hysterectomy is usually recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence or to treat a placental-site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) or epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT). Types of hysterectomy include:

    • Simple hysterectomy: The removal of the uterus and cervix.

    • Supracervical hysterectomy: The removal of the body of the uterus while preserving the uterine cervix.

    There are different techniques used to perform a hysterectomy, including a traditional incision in the stomach or a technique that uses several smaller incisions, called a laparoscopic hysterectomy. Side effects may include pain, bleeding, and infection. Talk with your health care team about possible side effects and how they can be relieved. Pregnancy is not possible after a hysterectomy.

Following surgery for GTD, the patient's human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level (see Diagnosis) will be monitored with blood tests to make sure that it returns to normal levels. If the hCG level remains high or increases after an initial drop, it may mean that tumor cells are still present, either in a portion of the original tumor—called a persistent or invasive mole—and/or in another area that the GTD has spread to. If this occurs, additional treatment such as chemotherapy will be recommended. If the GTD surgery shows the presence of choriocarcinoma, chemotherapy is started immediately. Choriocarcinoma is cancerous and always needs chemotherapy.

Before surgery, talk with your health care team about the possible side effects from the specific surgery you will have. Learn more about the basics of cancer surgery.

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Chemotherapy

The treatment plan may include medications to destroy cancer cells. Medication may be given through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. When a drug is given this way, it is called systemic therapy. Medication may also be given locally, which is when the medication is applied directly to the cancer or kept in a single part of the body.

This treatment is generally prescribed by a medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medication. A gynecologic oncologist may also give chemotherapy to treat GTD.

Chemotherapy is the type of systemic therapy used for GTD. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy tumor cells, usually by keeping the tumor cells from growing, dividing, and making more cells. Chemotherapy is usually very effective in treating a molar pregnancy and some types of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), but it is not as effective with PSTT and ETT. Sometimes, chemotherapy is used as a single treatment, and in other cases, it may be combined with surgery (see above).

Common ways to give chemotherapy include an intramuscular (IM) injection (or shot), an intravenous (IV) tube placed into a vein using a needle, or as a pill or capsule that is swallowed (orally). If you are given oral medications to take at home, be sure to ask your health care team about how to safely store and handle them.

A chemotherapy regimen, or schedule, usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a set period of time. A patient may receive 1 drug at a time or a combination of different drugs given at the same time. Common drugs used in chemotherapy for GTD include:

  • Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)

  • Dactinomycin (Cosmegen)

  • Etoposide (available as a generic drug)

  • Cyclophosphamide (available as a generic drug)

  • Vincristine (Vincasar)

  • Cisplatin (available as a generic drug)

Similar to surgery, the type of chemotherapy depends on the stage grouping of GTD, including whether the tumor is low risk or high risk. A low-risk invasive mole or a cancerous GTD that has spread can often be treated successfully with methotrexate alone or in combination with leucovorin (Fusilev). Another drug that can be used is dactinomycin, especially if the patient’s liver is not fully healthy. About 30% of patients with low-risk disease will need additional treatment with a second drug.

Patients with high-risk metastatic disease generally receive combination chemotherapy with more than 1 drug. Common combinations include:

  • EMA-CO: etoposide, methotrexate, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine

  • EMA-EP: etoposide, methotrexate, dactinomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin

Treatment results are measured by testing the hCG levels. Chemotherapy is usually continued until hCG levels are normal. Additional cycles of chemotherapy are given after hCG levels are normal to reduce the risk of recurrence. In most instances, patients require 3 to 4 cycles of chemotherapy.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but they can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, hair loss, loss of appetite, neuropathy (numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes), and oto-toxicity, which is the loss of high-frequency hearing and/or ringing in the ears. These side effects usually go away after treatment is finished. Talk with your doctor beforehand about the possible side effects from the specific drug(s) given and how side effects may be relieved or reduced.

Learn more about the basics of chemotherapy.

The medications used to treat GTD are continually being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications prescribed for you, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications. It is also important to let your doctor know if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements. Herbs, supplements, and other drugs can interact with medications to treat the tumor, causing unwanted side effects or reduced effectiveness. Learn more about your prescriptions by using searchable drug databases.

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Physical, emotional, social, and financial effects of GTD

A tumor and its treatment cause physical symptoms and side effects, as well as emotional, social, and financial effects. Managing all of these effects is called palliative and supportive care. It is an important part of your care that is included along with treatments intended to slow, stop, or eliminate the tumor.

Palliative and supportive care focuses on improving how you feel during treatment by managing symptoms and supporting patients and their families with other, non-medical needs. Any person, regardless of age or type and stage of GTD, may receive this type of care. And it often works best when it is started right after a diagnosis. People who receive palliative and supportive care along with treatment for the tumor often have less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report that they are more satisfied with treatment.

Palliative treatments vary widely and often include medication, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, emotional and spiritual support, and other therapies. You may also receive palliative treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery, to improve symptoms.

Before treatment begins, talk with your doctor about the goals of each treatment in the recommended treatment plan. You should also talk about the possible side effects of the specific treatment plan and palliative and supportive care options. Many patients also benefit from talking with a social worker and participating in support groups. Ask your doctor about these resources, too.

Medical care is often expensive, and navigating health insurance can be difficult. Ask your doctor or another member of your health care team about talking with a financial navigator or counselor who may be able to help with your financial concerns.

During treatment, your health care team may ask you to answer questions about your symptoms and side effects and to describe each problem. Be sure to tell the health care team if you are experiencing a problem. This helps the health care team treat any symptoms and side effects as quickly as possible. It can also help prevent more serious problems in the future.

Learn more about the importance of tracking side effects in another part of this guide. Learn more about palliative and supportive care in a separate section of this website.

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Remission and the chance of recurrence

A remission is when the tumor cannot be detected in the body and there are no symptoms. This may also be called having “no evidence of disease” or NED.

A remission may be temporary or permanent. This uncertainty causes many people to worry that the tumor will come back. While many remissions of GTD are permanent, it is important to talk with your doctor about the possibility of the tumor returning. The risk of recurrence for GTD overall is low, but it may be 10% to 15% for those with a high-risk tumor. Understanding your risk of recurrence and the treatment options may help you feel more prepared if the tumor does return. Learn more about coping with the fear of recurrence.

If GTD returns after the original treatment, it is called recurrent GTD. It may come back in the uterus (called a local recurrence), nearby (regional recurrence), or in another place (distant recurrence).

If a recurrence happens, a new cycle of testing will begin to learn as much as possible about it. After this testing is done, you and your doctor will talk about the treatment options. Often the treatment plan will include the treatment described above, such as surgery or chemotherapy, but they may be used in a different combination or given at a different pace. Your doctor may suggest clinical trials that are studying new ways to treat recurrent GTD. Treatment is often effective for a recurrent GTD. Whichever treatment plan you choose, palliative and supportive care will be important for relieving symptoms and side effects.

People with recurrent GTD sometimes experience emotions such as disbelief or fear. You are encouraged to talk with your health care team about these feelings and ask about support services to help you cope. Learn more about dealing with cancer recurrence.

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If treatment does not work

GTD is usually curable. However, recovery is not always possible. If a cancerous GTD cannot be cured or controlled, the disease may be called advanced or terminal.

This diagnosis is stressful, and for some people, advanced cancer is difficult to discuss. However, it is important to have open and honest conversations with your health care team to express your feelings, preferences, and concerns. The health care team has special skills, experience, and knowledge to support patients and their families and is there to help. Making sure a person is physically comfortable, free from pain, and emotionally supported is extremely important.

Planning for your future care and putting your wishes in writing is important, especially at this stage of disease. Then, your health care team and loved ones will know what you want, even if you are unable to make these decisions. Learn more about putting your health care wishes in writing.

People who have advanced disease and who are expected to live less than 6 months may want to consider hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people who are near the end of life. You and your family are encouraged to talk with your doctor or a member of your palliative care team about hospice care options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other health care locations. Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families. Learn more about advanced cancer care planning.

After the death of a loved one, many people need support to help them cope with the loss. Learn more about grief and loss.

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The next section in this guide is About Clinical Trials. It offers more information about research studies that are focused on finding better ways to care for people with GTD. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.